Date of Meeting: September 3, 2014 # 14 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACTION ITEM BOARD MEMBER INITIATIVE SUBJECT: Designating Funds for Contracting a Hidden Lane Landfill Superfund Project Site Consultant ELECTION DISTRICT: Algonkian District CRITICAL ACTION DATE: At the Pleasure of the Board STAFF CONTACT: Ben Fornwalt, Aide to Supervisor Volpe PURPOSE: The Hidden Lane Landfill, an EPA Superfund Site, is in need of remediation. EPA is currently in the Treatability Study Phase of the project and will be making decisions on how to remediate the site. As a result, a Superfund Site consultant is necessary to review EPA data including the Treatability Study and the possible solutions for remediation prior to the EPA’s Record of Determination. RECOMMENDATION: To direct County staff to identify funds necessary for contracting an external Superfund Site Consultant to review EPA data related to the site including the Treatability Study and recommended options for remediation prior to the EPA’s Record of Determination. BACKGROUND: The Hidden Lane Landfill is an EPA Superfund Site in the Broad Run Farms Community in Sterling. In 1971, the Hidden Lane Landfill, owned by Philip Smith and Albert Morgan, began operations as a site for the disposal of construction and demolition debris as well as non- industrial waste. During the landfill's 13 years in service, Smith/Morgan consistently violated the terms of their permitted use. As shown in the Hidden Lane Landfill Chronology (Attachment 1), landfill operations often accepted domestic waste and toxic chemicals. The document also details that multiple large fires broke out as a result of this unlawful use and careless oversight. After years of nonconformity and conflict, the County closed the landfill in 1984. Since its closure, methane gas was found in adjacent CountrySide homes (1986, 1998), and Trichloroethylene (TCE) was found in adjacent residential wells in the Broad Run Farms neighborhood (1989) (Attachment 2). CountrySide does not have private water wells. Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia ultimately determined that these dangerous substances likely originated from the landfill itself and are serious risks to human health. Carbon
Transcript
Date of Meeting: September 3, 2014
# 14 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ACTION ITEM BOARD MEMBER INITIATIVE
SUBJECT: Designating Funds for Contracting a Hidden Lane Landfill Superfund Project Site Consultant
ELECTION DISTRICT: Algonkian District
CRITICAL ACTION DATE: At the Pleasure of the Board
STAFF CONTACT: Ben Fornwalt, Aide to Supervisor Volpe
PURPOSE: The Hidden Lane Landfill, an EPA Superfund Site, is in need of remediation. EPA is currently in the Treatability Study Phase of the project and will be making decisions on how to remediate the site. As a result, a Superfund Site consultant is necessary to review EPA data including the Treatability Study and the possible solutions for remediation prior to the EPA’s Record of Determination.
RECOMMENDATION: To direct County staff to identify funds necessary for contracting an external Superfund Site Consultant to review EPA data related to the site including the Treatability Study and recommended options for remediation prior to the EPA’s Record of Determination.
BACKGROUND:
The Hidden Lane Landfill is an EPA Superfund Site in the Broad Run Farms Community in Sterling. In 1971, the Hidden Lane Landfill, owned by Philip Smith and Albert Morgan, began operations as a site for the disposal of construction and demolition debris as well as non-industrial waste. During the landfill's 13 years in service, Smith/Morgan consistently violated the terms of their permitted use. As shown in the Hidden Lane Landfill Chronology (Attachment 1), landfill operations often accepted domestic waste and toxic chemicals. The document also details that multiple large fires broke out as a result of this unlawful use and careless oversight. After years of nonconformity and conflict, the County closed the landfill in 1984.
Since its closure, methane gas was found in adjacent CountrySide homes (1986, 1998), and Trichloroethylene (TCE) was found in adjacent residential wells in the Broad Run Farms neighborhood (1989) (Attachment 2). CountrySide does not have private water wells. Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia ultimately determined that these dangerous substances likely originated from the landfill itself and are serious risks to human health. Carbon
Item #14, Board Member Initiative: Designating Funds for Contracting a Hidden Lane Landfill Superfund Project Site Consultant
Board of Supervisors Business Meeting September 3, 2014
Page 2
filters were installed on the affected wells to limit human exposure to TCE in the Broad Run Farms Community. However, the TCE and methane gas still presents a potential risk to humans and the environment, resulting in the listing of the Hidden Lane Landfill as a Superfund Site on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL) in 2008.
Since 2008, the EPA has been conducting an ongoing investigation on the Superfund Site (Attachment 3). In 2009, the EPA initiated their investigation of the ground water (Phase 1) in order to locate the extent of the TCE contaminant and define the plume. This action involved the drilling and monitoring of wells. However, the EPA found TCE deeper than initially suspected, which necessitated the installation of deeper wells. In 2011, the EPA located and defined the TCE plume, as seen in Attachment 4. Phase 3 began in 2012 to confirm the extent of the contaminant and to determine if the TCE is migrating. Although the TCE does move through underlying fractures in bedrock, the pace of this movement has been at a slow rate. The mapping of the TCE shows that a majority of the TCE has accumulated most densely in one area. With the TCE located and mapped, the EPA could evaluate the affects of the contamination and possible solutions for remediation.
Over the past two years, the EPA has been conducting a number of studies. The Ecological Risk Assessment and the Human Health Risk Assessment are among these studies. The EPA determined, "The Site poses no significant risk to the nearby aquatic (rivers, streams, ponds) or terrestrial (plants, animals, insects, etc.) ecologies or their living populations.". Currently, the EPA is initiating a Treatability Study to determine what possible methods of remediation will work at this particular site.
ISSUES:
Understanding and assessing the amount of highly technical and scientific information produced by EPA as part of this investigation and how it is used to support ultimate remediation decisions presents an insurmountable obstacle for impacted residents and current county capacity. Without the capability to evaluate this information, it is not feasible to determine if the final decision reached by EPA on how this site will be cleaned up is a viable and sustainable solution for the surrounding residents and the county. It also greatly diminishes the opportunities to duly influence the decision-making process, and the form and extent of the remediation. Additionally, without such capacity it is impracticable to assess the long-term efficacy of the clean up since remedies for these types of environmental challenges will require long-term monitoring and maintenance methods that will need to be evaluated. This situation will leave residents and the county with no other option than to accept EPA decisions and trust that those are sufficiently comprehensive to protect public health and the environment so that current and future residents can be assured that future impacts to this area have been sufficiently mitigated.
To effectively assess the proposed remediation of this site, the county will need to obtain the services of an expert consultant whose credentials, experience and independence is well established. These may be available from academia or the private sector but must possess the
Item #14, Board Member Initiative: Designating Funds for Contracting a Hidden Lane Landfill Superfund Project Site Consultant
Board of Supervisors Business Meeting September 3, 2014
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specific expertise to adequately evaluate the proposed remediation and offer scientifically valid recommendations to ensure its validity. This will require that the county enter into a financial agreement with the entity to carry out this service.
The exact amount of funds necessary will likely be determined based upon the magnitude and nature of the data provided as a result of the EPA remedial investigation including the Treatability Study and potential remediation options put forth by the EPA. Depending on the study’s options for remediation, the cost for the Superfund Site Consultant may vary; however, it is currently estimated by staff to be between $75,000 and $100,000. The expertise necessary to review the results of the Treatability Study and the preferred method of remediation will determine the required qualifications of the consultant. The consultant’s work and efforts will be managed by a team from the Department of General Services, Environmental Program, the local Department of Health, Environmental Health Division and the Office of the County Administrator.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff estimates the cost for this work will be range between $75,000 and $100,000 depending upon the extent of the remediation options proposed by EPA and the availability of data. Sufficient funds have been identified within the FY 2015 Non-Departmental contingency budget to undertake such a study.
DRAFT MOTIONS:
1. I move that the Board of Supervisors approve the request to identify and reserve up to$100,000 in local tax funding necessary for staff to contract a Superfund Site consultant toreview the EPA remedial investigation data and remediation options including those cited inthe Agency’s Treatability Study prior to the EPA’s Record of Determination in an attempt toreview the effectiveness, extent, feasibility and long-term efficacy of the clean-up actions forthe site.
OR
2. I move that the Board of Supervisors refer this item to the Board of Supervisors Finance,Government Services and Operations Committee for their review and consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Hidden Lane Landfill Chronology2. TCE Sampling Map3. HLLF Presentation for Supervisor Volpe4. HLL Fact Sheet April 2014
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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Date Event
February 1971 Filling activities begin at what is later known as Hidden Lane Landfill on property owned by Philip Smith and Albert Moran.
May 1971 First complaint received by the County regarding refuse disposal at the Smith/Moran property.
January 1973 County Health Director advises County Administrator that the Smith/Moran waste disposal site is needed, and local Health Department inspections reveal that no health hazard is being created. State Health Department inspections also indicate that operation is satisfactory.
February 1973 Report by the Broad Run Farms Civic Association Ad Hoc Committee on Refuse Disposal (formed January 1973) concludes that the Smith/Moran landfill is in violation of county ordinances and state health regulations and should be terminated.
April 1973 At the request of the Board of Supervisors (BOS), the Commonwealth’s Attorney issues an opinion that the Smith/Moran landfill is a violation of the Zoning and Refuse Disposal Ordinances and constitutes a public nuisance.
June 1973 Commonwealth’s Attorney files a criminal complaint against land owners, Smith and Moran, for operating a landfill that constitutes a public and common nuisance (Criminal 1819).
November 1973 Virginia Department of Health approves “in concept” the Smith/Moran application for operation of a solid waste disposal site for construction and demolition wastes, land clearing debris, and household appliances. Issuance of the permit is subject to BOS approval.
December 1973 Smith and Moran are acquitted by a jury in Loudoun County Circuit Court of operating a public nuisance.
March 1974 BOS directs Commonwealth’s Attorney to pursue a suit for injunctive relief against the operators of Hidden Lane Landfill. Commonwealth’s Attorney responds that he has no time and advises the citizens of Broad Run to sue the operators.
September 1974 Letter of intent issued by Virginia Department of Health to Smith and Moran for operation of a solid waste disposal site for construction and demolition wastes, land clearing debris, and household appliances.
November 1975 County Zoning Administrator files Petition for Permanent Injunction against Smith and Moran d/b/a Hidden Lane Landfill (Ch. 5308). The Commonwealth’s Attorney subsequently asked the Court to dismiss the suit without prejudice.
February 1976 County Zoning Administrator again files Petition for Permanent Injunction against Smith and Moran d/b/a Hidden Lane Landfill (Ch. 5387).
Attachment 1
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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January to December 1977
Domestic garbage from Vienna, Falls Church, Herndon, and Reston areas disposed in landfill. Inspectors observe liquid chemicals marked “toxic and poison.”
November 1977 Large fire occurs at the landfill.
January 1978 BOS adopts County Solid Waste Ordinance. County Department of Health requests that Smith and Moran obtain a permit to operate under the new ordinance.
1978 to 1980 Attorney for Smith and Moran claims that new solid waste ordinance does not apply to Hidden Lane Landfill.
May 1980 County Health Department samples water in landfill well and in private wells near landfill. Groundwater samples are analyzed by State; analytical testing does not include volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
June 1980 County receives formal submission for landfill permit. Documents prepared on behalf of Smith and Moran by William H. Gordon Associates, Inc.
October 1980 County denies permit request due to lack of response to County comments on application.
November 1980 County advised that landfill leased to Wiser Brothers as operator.
March 1981 Law Engineering, working for landfill owners, installs 6 soil borings and 4 groundwater monitoring wells within and around the existing landfill. Analytical sampling does not include VOCs. Gas sampling conducted of four natural vents in the existing fill.
December 1981 Staff advises County Administrator in writing of technical inadequacies with plans for Hidden Lane Landfill submitted by consultants on behalf of operator.
February 1982 Water samples from landfill well and in private wells near landfill are analyzed by State; analytical sampling does not include VOCs.
May 1982 Virginia Department of Health issues Conditional Permit No. 356 to Bob Wiser for the operation of Hidden Lane Landfill even though the County had requested in writing that the permit not be issued. State advises that they have no choice but to issue the permit which requires the operator to comply with all local laws including obtaining land use permission to landfill. No such permission is granted by the County.
July 1982 County staff met with BOS in executive session and advises that there are irreconcilable differences between the County and the contract purchaser of the landfill indicating that a settlement in Loudoun County v. Smith/Moran is unlikely.
January to April 1983 Large fires occur at the landfill.
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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March 1983 Operator submits revised plans for the landfill to the State Health Department in support of Conditional Permit No. 356 issued by the agency in May 1982.
March 1983 Preliminary plan for CountrySide subdivision submitted to County Planning Department.
April 1983 State declines to analyze landfill leachate samples collected by County staff due to lack of funds.
June 1983 Circuit Court trial commences for Loudoun County v. Smith/Moran.
July 1983 Virginia Department of Health reissues VA Solid Waste Management Permit No. 356 for Hidden Lane Landfill. County Attorney directed by BOS to appeal issuance of permit.
August 1983 BOS files suit against Virginia Board of Health and others challenging the issuance of Permit No. 356 (Ch. 8954).
October 1983 County obtains favorable judgment in Loudoun County v. Smith/Moran (Ch. 5387, originally filed in February 1976). Court rules landfill is in violation of the Zoning Ordinance and grants permanent injunction against operation of the landfill. Court appoints Special Commissioner to recommend a plan of closure.
April 1984 Commissioner in Chancery files a report with recommendations that include “allow for groundwater quality testing at intervals as required by the Virginia State Health Department or State Water Control Board.” Agreement between owners and County requires surface water and groundwater quality testing and monitoring on a semiannual basis for a period of seven years after completion of restoration.
June 1984 Operator collects groundwater samples for analysis of water quality parameters.
November 1984 State Bureau of Solid Waste Management requests that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region III, classify the Hidden Lane Landfill for further site investigation due to potential impacts to groundwater. Elevated levels of chloride, nitrate, chromium, iron, and cadmium found in downgradient monitoring well.
February 1985 County staff observes that monitoring wells are lost or not secured.
March 1985 County staff notes that landfill closure is going well.
July 1985 Operator installs eight gas vent pipes at landfill.
October 1985 State Department of Health terminates Permit No. 356 since the landfill has ceased to be operational.
1985 Groundwater sampling by owners continues throughout 1985; no samples are analyzed for VOCs.
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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January 1986 Fire at the landfill.
1986 Low levels of methane gas are found in boring at CountrySide property immediately adjacent to the landfill.
November 1986 County denies building permits and occupancy permits in CountrySide due to failure by developer to construct agreed upon methane vent trench.
April 1987 Developer attempts to obtain easement from CountrySide Proprietary and landfill owners for construction of vent trench. All parties refuse to allow construction of trench.
July 1987 BOS Action Item initiated to exercise powers of eminent domain in order to obtain land for vent trench. Item sent to Public Services Committee.
September 1987 BOS voted to take no action at this time with regards to exercising its powers of eminent domain in order to obtain land for construction of the vent trench.
September 1988 Consultant for County constructs 14 permanent gas monitoring wells between Hidden Lane Landfill and CountrySide subdivision.
December 1988 Consultant for Bob Wiser (operator) installs 70 gas vent probes at landfill.
February 1989 Virginia Department of Waste Management issues DRAFT Enforcement Order to Hidden Lane Landfill to address methane gas migration.
July 1989 Virginia Department of Waste Management issues REVISED DRAFT Enforcement Order to Hidden Lane Landfill to address methane gas migration.
July 1989 Virginia Department of Waste Management notifies State Department of Health that contractor for EPA discovered Trichloroethylene (TCE) in homeowner wells adjacent to Hidden Lane Landfill.
August 1989 State Department of Health notifies County Health Department that TCE found in two homeowner wells adjacent to Hidden Lane Landfill at 70 parts per billion (ppb) and 7 ppb.
August 1989 Affected homeowners notified by County Health Department that TCE found in well water. Homeowners advised to install a carbon filter.
November 1989 Terms of DRAFT Enforcement Order still under negotiation. (Order never finalized and executed.)
August 1990 County receives report of Site Inspection of Hidden Lane Landfill dated January 13, 1989, prepared by NUS Corporation under contract to EPA. Analytical data presented in report includes analysis for VOCs in groundwater collected during site visit by NUS in February 1988. Analysis of groundwater from three private wells along Redrose Drive near landfill indicated levels of TCE; 1,1,1-TCEA; and 1,1-DCE. TCE levels in two wells exceeded MCL of 5 ppb. Leachate seep sample and groundwater samples from on-site wells revealed high levels of metals.
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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August 1992 Appears to be last semiannual testing of groundwater in wells at Hidden Lane Landfill by consultant on behalf of landfill operator. No groundwater samples ever analyzed for VOCs.
August 1994 County submits motion to withdraw suit again Virginia Board of Health and others (Ch. 8954).
April 1995 Analytical data in file from private well installed at 20240 Redrose Drive. TCE detected at 1 ppb.
July 1996 John Ely of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) states that there is no active enforcement action pending against Hidden Lane Landfill.
August 1996 Grading permit for Hidden Lane Landfill issued by County Department of Building and Development for 30-day period.
October 1996 Trucks loaded with soil, rock, and broken pavement began dumping at the landfill.
November 1996 At County’s request, Jon Terry of DEQ conducts inspection of landfill in response to new dumping of soil, rock, and broken pavement. Terry writes that there are no solid waste violations.
July 1997 Analytical data in file from private well installed at 20240 Redrose Drive. TCE detected at 5 ppb.
August 1997 Grading permit for Hidden Lane Landfill revoked by County.
February 1998 Methane odor detected in residence on Dudley Court in CountrySide.
March 1998 Access agreements granted to County by Moran, Smith, and CountrySide Proprietary.
May 1998 BOS issues letter requesting that DEQ address methane gas from landfill. DEQ responds in August 1998 by requesting that County conduct a limited gas monitoring program to gather additional data.
December 1998 Citizen reports smoke coming from a vent hole in the landfill.
February 2005 Subsequent to an informal discussion on well water results in Broad Run Farms, County Health Department staff determine that groundwater in the eastern- most area of Broad Run Farms may be contaminated with TCE.
February 2005 County Health Department notifies residents in potentially affected area of east Broad Run Farms and offers free well water testing.
February 2005 County sends letter to residents in Broad Run Farms stating that TCE was found in certain water supply wells. Emergency public notice meeting advisory posted on signs by BOS throughout neighborhood.
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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March 2005 Community meetings held with Broad Run Civic Association and CountrySide HOA to discuss groundwater sampling results.
March 2005 County Health Department begins collecting groundwater samples from residential supply wells within initial testing area for chemical analysis. Sampling area subsequently expanded.
May 2005 County staff meet with DEQ, Northern Region officials to discuss analytical results from sampling of residential supply wells in Broad Run Farms.
May 2005 DEQ and County recommend state-funded installation of whole house water filtration systems for wells found to contain TCE over the MCL. DEQ announces financial reimbursement for existing water filtration systems for certain qualified residents.
December 2006 County staff meet with Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources in Richmond to discuss action to resolve the health and environmental issues surrounding the Hidden Lane Landfill.
January 2007 Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources states that the Commonwealth will continue the free maintenance and installation of whole house water filtration systems until July 2008 and will seek listing of the Hidden Lane Landfill on the federal National Priorities List (NPL).
February 2007 EPA conducts soil sampling at the Hidden Lane Landfill in work related to the prospective listing of the landfill on the NPL.
August & Sept. 2007 EPA officials meet with County staff and hold public meetings in Broad Run Farms and CountrySide communities.
September 2007 Federal Registrar Volume 72 Number 181 (40 CFR Part 300 EPA) National Priorities List, Proposed Rule 47, page 53510 lists as a prospective NPL site the Hidden Lane Landfill. The public is invited to comment on the proposed addition of the site to the NPL during a 60-day Public Comment Period, which ends November 19, 2007.
March 2008 The listing notice for the Hidden Lane Landfill published in the Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Federal Register Volume 73, which is the official date that the site is deemed to have been listed on the NPL.
May 2008 EPA initiates the Combined Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the Hidden Lane Landfill, which is a long-term study that involves the collection of data and an analysis of the site.
HIDDEN LANE LANDFILL CHRONOLOGY 8/5/2014
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Feb 2009 EPA begins installation of 19 monitoring wells to determine the geology underneath the landfill, the flow of groundwater, and the depth at which the TCE or other contaminants exist. EPA releases Community Involvement Plan that outlines important community information resources and support; and provides a snapshot on how residents can stay involved throughout the cleanup process.
April 2009 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry completes the Public Health Assessment on Hidden Lane.
2010-2011 EPA installs 9 deeper monitoring wells after EPA determined the plume of contaminated groundwater went deeper than what was thought.
January 2012 EPA begins work to deepen three of the 350-foot deep wells to 500-feet in order to perform geophysical studies and take samples from the newly deepened sections.
April 2012 EPA holds informational meeting for the community at Galilee Methodist Church.
November 2012 EPA completes the groundwater investigation. EPA indicates that the plume of contaminated groundwater significantly decreases as it moves toward the Potomac River, tends to get shallower as it moves north, and the groundwater is most heavily contaminated in a small area just west of the Hidden Lane Landfill between 350 feet and 450 feet deep.
May 2013 EPA holds informational meeting for the community at Galilee Methodist Church.
April 2014 EPA completes remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site and the risk that contamination may pose. Results beyond the groundwater investigations showed that exposure to TCE in drinking water from groundwater wells is the most serious human health risk posed by the site; the site poses no significant risk to nearby aquatic or terrestrial ecologies or their living populations; and there are fractures in the underlying bedrock that may significantly influence where and how the TCE moves in the subsurface aquifer.
June 2014 EPA holds informational meeting for the community at Galilee Methodist Church.
Attachment 2
Hidden Lane Landfill
Attachment 3
A brief history of Hidden Lane Landfill
• ~30-acre privately owned disposal facility ¾ mile north of Route 7 in Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
• Hidden Lane permitted as a construction and demolition debris landfill authorized to receive non-industrial, non-hazardous waste Operations at
Hidden Lane Landfill begin
1971
1984
2005
Hidden Lane closed by County
Loudoun Cty and VDEQ find TCE in 25 more wells; take more samples, alert EPA
EPA completes site investigation, Hidden Lane proposed to NPL
2007
TCE found in Broad Run Farms well
1989
A brief history of Hidden Lane Landfill, con’t.
• Loudoun County Health Department finds TCE contamination in area drinking water wells, alerts VDEQ
• VDEQ responds and assists Loudoun County, alerts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Hidden Lane Landfill listed on NPL. EPA begins RI w/LFG wells
2008
2009
2011
EPA begins GW investigation (Phase 1)
EPA locates, defines TCE plume
EPA begins Phase 3 of GW Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill
2012
EPA finds TCE deeper than expected and installs deeper wells (Phase 2)
2010
A brief history of Trichloroethylene (TCE)
-TCE is a common industrial solvent used for decades as a metals
degreaser, in dry cleaning, in paint removers, et al -TCE is volatile and moderately soluble in water -Acute exposure irritates skin, eyes and affects the CNS, heart, liver,
kidney and lungs -Chronic exposure at low levels affects these same organs/systems -EPA considers TCE a likely human carcinogen (liver, kidney, lung) -TCE exposure can occur by contact, by ingestion and by inhalation
Emergency v. Non-Emergency
EPA determines the site may pose a direct threat to human health and/or the environment now, or in the near future… Emergency = Removal Action
vs. EPA determines the site poses a long-term threat to human
health and the environment but is… Not an Emergency = Remedial Action
– Assessed and scored under the Hazard Ranking System (HRS)
– Placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) of most contaminated
hazardous waste sites in the nation.
Hidden Lane Landfill is undergoing a Remedial Action
The hazardous substances (TCE) were likely placed in the landfill over a number of years
Contaminants have leached into ground water
and migrated into drinking water wells, and The pollution got a head-start, and it’ll take a
while to clean up.
The SUPERFUND Process -Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) -Proposed Plan and Record of Decision (ROD) -Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) -Construction Completion -Post Construction Completion -Deletion from the NPL
RI Field Activities • Soil Samples*
• Residential Wells*
• Monitoring Wells* • Sediment Samples*
• Surface Water Samples*
• Leachate/Landfill Gas Samples*
• Ecological Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Conceptual Site Model
FS and Alternatives Development
• EPA develops and screens alternatives (options) for each contaminated media (e.g. groundwater)
• EPA weighs alternatives against each other to come up with its recommended option (Preferred Alternative)
• All options are shared in the Proposed Plan
• After public comment, the final alternative is made part of the public record (ROD)
Landfill Gas Sampling • 1988 – 14 LFG monitoring wells were installed
• 2008 – all 14 found
– 1 repaired and 8 additional gas probes installed by EPA (22) – Quarterly sampling by EPA - December 2008 - January 2011 – Semi-annual since January 2011
• NO Methane safety issues - (40 CFR 257.3-8)
– 100% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) at property boundary (for methane – 5% in air by volume @ 20 deg. C)
– 25% of LEL inside structures
• Regular monitoring continues
Showing location of one of the permanent landfill gas monitoring well at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
Permanent landfill gas monitoring well
View of inside one of the permanent landfill gas monitoring well at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
Sample port for landfill gas meter
Open and close valve
1-inch well that goes approximately 20 feet into the subsurface
View of two of the temporary landfill gas probes installed during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
Gas probe – approximately 18 feet into the subsurface
Another gas probe
View of one of the temporary landfill gas probes sampling port installed during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
– New Investigative Wells (Boreholes) • 19 new wells installed • Downhole geophysics • Packer Testing/Sampling
APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PHASE 1 REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION
SCREENED MONITORING WELLS FEBRUARY 2009 – APRIL 2009
RI-1D – deep well RI-1S – shallow well
View of the all-terrain drilling rig using air rotary method to drill a deep borehole during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
View of the air rotary hammer bit starting to drill a deep borehole during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
View of air rotary hammer drilling a deep borehole during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
Acoustic televiewer of inside a deep borehole during the Remedial Investigation at Hidden Lane Landfill, Sterling, VA
Dep
th b
elow
su
bsur
face
(fee
t)
Balls Bluff Siltstone
Fracture zones
Large fractures/voids
= 350 ft bgs
APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PHASE 2 REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION
OPEN BOREHOLE WELLS SEPTEMBER 2010 – APRIL 2011
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 0
South North
Conceptual TCE Plume Isoconcentration Cross-Section (looking west) – Interpretation A
NOTES: * - denotes sample location during the packer testing and passive-diffusion bag sampling events Vertical Exaggeration = 5x Hidden Lane Landfill– The landfill is not in line of section
Potomac River
Hidden Lane Landfilla
Horizontal Scale (Feet)
5 µg/L 50 µg/L
100 µg/L 250 µg/L Water table
Inferred
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1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 0
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Conceptual TCE Plume Isoconcentration Cross-Section (looking west) – Interpretation B
Potomac River
Hidden Lane Landfilla
Horizontal Scale (Feet)
5 µg/L 50 µg/L
100 µg/L 250 µg/L Water table
Inferred
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Ground Surface
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NOTES: * - denotes sample location during the packer testing and passive-diffusion bag sampling events Vertical Exaggeration = 5x Hidden Lane Landfill – The landfill is not in line of section
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Phase 3 Investigation – Deepen three existing 350 ft. boreholes to
500 feet deep to delineate deeper subsurface
– Wells selected along suspected path of TCE from the Landfill towards the Potomac River
– Will determine whether or not contamination has/is migrating beneath the River
– Phase 3 to start in January 2012
APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PHASE 3 REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION
DEEPENING OPEN BOREHOLE WELLS JANUARY 2012 – ?
EPA Contacts • Fred Mac Millan, Remedial Project Manager
